Don’t Wait to Be Fearless

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9

There are moments in life when God calls us into something that feels bigger than we are.

I imagine Joshua felt that way. Moses, the man who had faithfully led Israel for forty years, was gone.

Now Joshua stood where Moses once stood. The responsibility of leading God’s people rested on his shoulders.

I can’t help but wonder if Joshua looked around thinking…

“Wait… are You talking to me?”

I know I would have.

Before Joshua ever led the people, before he crossed the Jordan River, and before the walls of Jericho came

down, God spoke.

Not once.

Not twice.

Three times in just a few verses, God told Joshua to be strong and courageous.

That caught my attention.

Scripture never tells us exactly what Joshua was feeling, but I don’t think it’s a coincidence that God repeated

those words three times. God knew what lay ahead. He knew Joshua would need that reminder.

Then came the words Joshua needed most:

”…for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

God knows what we need and when we need it.

Joshua needed the reminder to be strong and courageous.

I know I would’ve too.

Truthfully, I need God to remind me every single day.

There are still days when fear gets loud, discouragement creeps in, and I start questioning myself all over again.

I’ve needed confidence to write a book, hit “publish,” talk to people, reply to comments, and even sing in church.

If I had waited until I felt confident enough to do those things, I’d probably still be waiting.

(84 years later .. lol )

For a long time, I thought confidence would come first, and then I’d obey. I thought if I really trusted God, I

wouldn’t still battle fear or discouragement.

But Joshua reminded me of something different.

God never told Joshua to find confidence in himself.

He reminded Joshua of His presence.

God didn’t promise Joshua an easy path.

He promised His presence.

Confidence isn’t the absence of fear.

It is taking the next step because you know God is with you.

The same promise God gave Joshua echoes throughout Scripture:

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” — Isaiah 41:10

Jesus gives us that same assurance:

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” — Matthew 28:20

The same God who spoke to Joshua still speaks to us today.

So if you’ve been waiting until you feel confident enough to write the book…

To have the conversation…

To reply to the comment…

To sing in church…

Or to take whatever next step God is asking you to take…

Don’t wait to be fearless.

Take the next step in faith.

Not because you suddenly feel confident…

But because God has already promised,

“I will be with you wherever you go.”

Reflective Questions

What is one step of faith God is asking you to take today?

Are you waiting to feel fearless before you obey?

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Prayer

Dear God,

Thank You for reminding me that I never have to walk alone. When fear and discouragement begin to creep in,

remind me that Your presence is enough. Help me stop waiting until I feel fearless and give me the courage to

take the next step in faith, trusting that You are with me wherever I go.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.